Network Olympics 2011

The 2011 Network Olympic Games was an opportunity for Networkers to show off their sporting prowess ahead of what promises to be a great sporting summer for Marple Network. The event began with a brief ceremony where the games were declared ‘Open.’

Network Olympics

Network Olympics

The opening event was the Sprint competition, taking a head to head format. The first round saw the elimination of Ollie Hibbs, Andy Statham, Ben Wilson, Julian Taylor and Josh Williams, with Matt Wilson, Richard Ellis, Jonathan Nolan and Tom Beech advancing to the semis. Wilson defeated Nolan and Beech saw off Ellis to set up the final everyone had wanted to see. Nippie took Bronze in the Play-off Race, with Beech easing to victory in the Final.

The Second Event was the Long Jump, with the same trio dominating, fans favourite Matt Wilson this time took Gold, from Nippie in second, with Cubby taking Bronze.

Next came the controversial Throwing of a Boule ball. It was decided that shot putt style would be the legal method, with a ‘shuffle’ and a step permitted. Simple as it may sound, Networkers being Networkers found a way to argue, with almost half of throws being deemed illegal and several of the legal throws being debated by the competitors. Sam Peach arrived half way through this event, there had been talk he could prove a real threat for the younger Networkers, his threat was not to materialise until later in proceedings. Wilson and Hibbs almost shared silver medal, with it not being decided until later in the evening that Hibbo had probably come out on top. Nippie having already wrapped the Gold medal up with his first round effort switched his attention to trying to kill Ellis. His second throw missing the former Kinder Scout by a matter of centimetres, it will be interesting to see if throwing a Boule ball remains a part of future Olympics.

The Final field event was the Stormhaven toss. Perhaps the least controversial event of the evening, Hibbs taking bronze by a centimetre, with Battle of Marple 2004 Strong Scout competitors Matt Wilson and Andy Statham showing the years had not affected their superhuman power taking Gold and Silver respectively.

Next came the controversial Long Distance Run. Due to boredom and laziness the medals were decided based solely on reputation, with Cubby Storming to Gold, Nippie taking Silver and Sam Peach, the young talent from New Mills taking a Bronze, to become the youngest ever Network Olympic medallist.

The Games were wrapped up as is tradition in such events with the relay. The event was won by the ‘Old Team’, consisting of Richard Ellis, Jonathan Nolan and Thomas Beech.

Final Medal Table

1. M Wilson 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
2. T Beech 2 Gold, 1 Bronze (1 shared Gold)
3. J Nolan 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze (1 shared Gold)
4. O Hibbs 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
5. A Statham 1 Silver
6. S Peach 1 Bronze
7. R Ellis (1 Shared Gold)